So you’ve already made the decision to teach English abroad. Maybe you want to take a meaningful gap year, contribute to organizations that need your expertise, connect with people of different backgrounds and cultures, or just experience living and working abroad.

Gather your books and get ready. Teaching English abroad will be a meaningful—maybe even life-changing!—experience.

Japan and South Korea are two great countries that always have a high demand for English teachers. And lucky for you, there are programs run by the governments of both Japan and South Korea that can help set you on your way to a meaningful teaching experience. If you’re in the midst of a big JET vs. EPIK debate, here’s what you need to know.

These Asian countries consistently top travelers’ list of potential places to teach. They both have a lot to offer for people who want to challenge themselves by living in a country completely different from what they’re used to. Read on to find out more about their !

What is JET?

JET refers to the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. This program matches candidates with various work experiences in Japan. Most JET placements are ALT, or Assistant Language Teacher, positions. You might also participate as a Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) in a local government or boards of education or a Sports Exchange Advisor (SEA).

Where you’ll be placed is pretty much the luck of the draw, but if you’re an adventurous person, this may just be the program for you! Some candidates are placed in the heart of bustling Tokyo while others are posted to the most rural of villages.

The word exchange is a key point to note here, because apart from teaching English, you will be expected to impart and share aspects of your own culture with the Japanese children and colleagues that you’ll work with.

Read more about the experiences of past JET participants and .

What is EPIK?

EPIK stands for English Program in Korea. Similar to the JET, it assigns candidates from the U.S. to ALT positions in various schools in South Korea. While you can request specific preferential placements in terms of location, where you’re placed is ultimately very much determined by chance.

As previously mentioned, an unexpected placement can just add to the joy of your experience! However, if you specifically want to teach in Seoul, you can also apply for the SMOE Program through EPIK. SMOE stands for Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, and it is a government association based in Seoul. Their goal is to have expert-level English-speaking teachers in every public school in the capital city.

While you can complete the application process on your own, it is not uncommon to get help from or to guide you.

READ:

JET vs. EPIK acceptance rates

Don’t let eligibility requirements and acceptance rates make your head spin.

By now, it’s clear that these two programs are extremely attractive to young people who want to experience living and working in Japan or South Korea. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that these programs are highly competitive.

Historically, the JET program has an acceptance rate of only 25%. Japan has only recently reopened its borders to foreigners since the pandemic, but it’s not yet clear if this will lead to a reduction or increase in applicants. It is not uncommon for people to prepare their applications for the JET program a year in advance.

The EPIK acceptance rate is a little different, with this program generally passing 70% to 80% of applicants through to the interview process. After this stage, though, the process can get a bit more intense.

First, the program considers the demand from the Korean Provincial and Metropolitan Offices of Education, which may vary depending on the season. Then, applicants need to go through the process of getting an E2 visa, which is determined at the discretion of the South Korean Embassy of your country.

The application process for both programs spans many months and can be arduous for those who are not mentally prepared for this. Many successful applicants recommend applying early to get ahead of the pack.

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JET vs. EPIK eligibility

1. Citizenship

Currently, EPIK eligibility is limited to applicants from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, and South Africa. Indian citizens are also eligible for positions if they meet all other requirements and hold a teacher's license in English.

JET eligibility is broader in terms of citizenship. JET accepts applicants from about . All you have to do is contact the Japanese Embassy in your country.

2. Qualifications

Debating EPIK vs. JET? Consider which program requirements you meet.

Applicants to both the JET and EPIK programs need to hold at minimum a bachelor’s degree. Preference may be granted to applicants with former teaching experience, a teaching certificate like the , or good proficiency in either Japanese or Korean languages.

3. Age

JET eligibility comes with a relatively strict age limit: The JET program only accepts applicants under the age of 40. EPIK applicants can be up to 62 years of age. However, it is an open secret that these programs prefer younger applicants, mainly due to the next requirements.

4. Physical Health

While Japan and South Korea are known for having some of the best healthcare standards in the world, both JET and EPIK want you to be active and working for most of your time abroad. Both programs require applicants to undergo a health check during the application process.

Although age may not be a factor in how healthy one can be, Asian cultures commonly expect people to focus on their families from their 30s to 50s, and for people older than that to be preparing for retirement. Essentially, the belief is that younger people can focus more on working as they tend to have fewer experiences than older people!

5. Other JET and EPIK Eligibility Requirements

You will also need to present some form of evidence of the following to be a strong candidate:

• A strong interest in Japanese or Korean culture.
• A strong desire to potentially live in Japan or Korea for the long term.
• A willingness to abide by the respective countries’ laws and cultural norms.

5 differences between JET and EPIK

1. Financial Compensation

Participants in the JET program will make about 3.36 million Japanese Yen (about $23,000) during their first year, with steady pay increases for every year they remain working in the program.

Participants in the EPIK program will earn a range between 2.0 to 2.7 million Korean Won ($1,500 to $2,000) per month depending on the location of their placement.

2. Airfare

Both JET and EPIK cover airfare, so that’s one less thing to consider in your budget.

Both programs will pay for your airfare to and from your country. This is not really a difference, but it’s important to know as you consider which program is right for you!

3. Additional Benefits

Here is where the EPIK program shines in the EPIK vs. JET debate. On top of the above mentioned points, participants will receive:

• A one-time payment of 300,000 Korean Won in your first month, known as a “Settlement Bonus.”
• Another payment of 1.3 million Korean Won sometime within your first six months on the job, known as an “Entrance Allowance.”
• Housing provided by the program, although your personal choice on this may be limited based on your location (and you will still have to cover utilities).
• 50% of all your medical expenses in South Korea paid for by the program.
• Severance pay of one month’s salary at the end of your term.

The JET program, on the other hand, does not offer much in terms of additional benefits. Applicants are told to arrive with $2,000 to $3,000 saved up and on hand to cover initial living costs out of pocket. You will also be enrolled in Japan’s compulsory insurance plans, the cost of which will come out of your salary:

• National health insurance, which will cover 70% of all medical costs.
• Pension insurance; you can get back a portion of this when you leave the country (remember, JET prioritizes applicants who want to stay in Japan for a long time!).
• Unemployment insurance, so in the event that your contract is terminated through no fault of your own, you’ll have some money in this account to fall back on during the rest of your stay in Japan or until you find another job.

The JET program also specifically provides accident insurance, which covers all medical and logistical expenses in case of an accident while you’re on the job.

4. Vacation Days

Participants in the JET program will receive at least 20 paid days off a year, and unused vacation days can be carried over to the next working year. On top of that, Japan is one of the countries with the highest number of national public holidays.

The EPIK program is not far behind. You’ll get 18 paid vacation days in addition to all national public holidays.

5. Which country appeals to you more?

Do you hear South Korea or Japan calling your name?

You’ll have to answer this for yourself to assess where you fit best. As mentioned previously, both application processes take into account your personal interest in their respective country and your ability to adapt to their cultural norms.

For example, if you have many visible tattoos, you may have a better chance of getting accepted to EPIK than JET. Remember, at the end of the day the governments of these countries make the final decision about your eligibility.

Pro-tip: Many former participants have mentioned that due to the proximity of both countries to each other, and due to the generally high number of vacation days, it is easy to hop over for quick trips!

Are there other programs like JET and EPIK?

While it may be difficult to find programs that are as stable and solid as JET and EPIK are, some other popular programs similar to JET and EPIK offer more flexibility for applicants looking to or South Korea:

AEON

This is a program that actively recruits English teachers to teach in English language schools in Japan. Your students can range from children to adults. The application process for this program is much easier compared to JET, and they offer . The program also gives you a working visa to live and work in Japan, which you can use to find other jobs if you want to continue living in Japan beyond your contract with AEON.

GOE

The GOE program is a lot like EPIK, but it’s specifically for the Gyeongsangnam-do province of South Korea. The requirements are similar to EPIK, but the pool of applicants and places tends to be smaller. If you are specifically interested in living and working away from the big city, this may be the program for you.

Eikaiwas

You’ll want to consider Eikaiwas if you’re looking for programs similar to JET, though you should expect a different experience. Known as “conversation schools” in Japan, these language centers are much more informal than classroom settings.

Many of them feature one-on-one conversational lessons between the instructor and student, many of whom will likely be working adults. For example, the has a pretty simple application process, and they accept applicants with no teaching experience as they provide training themselves.

All travel and living expenses must be covered by the applicant, but you will get a Japanese working visa. You can use this to gain other employment while in the country since Eikaiwas tend to be more flexible with teaching schedules.

Ready to find the perfect teach abroad program for you?

Go ahead, start your application to JET or EPIK. Your future students are waiting for you!

Traveling abroad will always be a meaningful experience, but being able to earn money while contributing to the country you’re living in is a great way to gain not only professional experience, but life experience as well. With , the possibilities are endless on where this first step of your journey can take you!

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